Alpha Dental Care Jesmond

Updated 4 February 2016

The inspection was carried out on 17 December 2015 and was led by a CQC inspector. The inspection team also included a dentist specialist advisor.

The methods that were used to collect information at the inspection included interviewing staff, observations and reviewing documents.

During the inspection we spoke with two dentists, three dental nurses, a dental hygienist and practice manager. We reviewed policies, procedures, and other records relating to the management of the service. We reviewed 37 completed Care Quality Commission comment cards.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions therefore formed the framework for the areas we looked at during the inspection.

Updated 4 February 2016

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 17 December 2015 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

The practice is owned by Perfect Smile (Acorn Dental) Partnership.

The practice offers primary care dentistry under the NHS and private treatments and procedures. The practice is located on the upper floors of the building. It has three surgeries, a decontamination room and a combined reception and waiting room area.

The practice is open Monday 9am to 7:00pm, Tuesday to Fridays 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9:00am to 1pm.

There are five dentists, five dental nurses (who also undertake receptionist duties), two hygienist and a practice manager.

The Partnership is the registered provider for the practice. Registered providers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

We spoke with three dentists,five dental nurses and the practice manager. We received feedback from patients about the service via 37 Care Quality Commission comment cards. All the comments were positive about the staff and the services provided. Comments included: excellent service and patient centred care,very professional, friendly and efficient staff.

Our key findings were:

• There was an effective complaints system.

• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.

• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.

• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.

• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.

• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current regulations.

• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.

• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.

• Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.

• The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.

• The governance systems were effective.

• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided.